Whelan escapes ban

Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan has escaped punishment after his two footed tackle at the weekend.

No retrospective action has been taken against the 29-year-old as the incident was seen during the match by referee Howard Webb as the Football Association can only take action if the incident wasn't seen by the official.

Replays suggested that the Irish International jumped into a tackle recklessly with Manchester City's Javi Garcia with two feet, in Stoke's televised F.A. Cup fourth round defeat.

Garcia had to receive treatment on his ankle but was able to finish the game.

Whelan has defended his challenge to BBC sport: 'I don't think I caught him as much as he was rolling about.

"It's the English game and that's what the Premier League is good for. Hopefully it [tackling] can stay in the game and people just get on with it.'

With this news Whelan is available for Stoke`s home fixture against Wigan tomorrow night (29th January).